Navy in majestic 85-3 win over CH

Navy centre Fijian Jone Avakio storms ahead after evading a tackle by a CH defender with skipper Rohitha Rajapaksa in support in their Dialog ‘A’ Division League rugby match played at Royal Sports Complex yesterday, which Navy won 85-3. Pic: Susantha Wijegunasekara

Skipper Rohitha Rajapaksa makes a break with Fijian centre Jone Avakio in support in their Dialog ‘A’ Division League rugby match played at Royal Sports Complex, Reid Avenue on Saturday. Pic: Susantha Wijegunasekara

Sri Lanka Navy Sports Club went on the rampage to score a smashing 85 points (ten goals, three tries) to 3 (one penalty) win over CH and FC in their Dialog 'A' Division League rugby match played at Royal Sports Complex, Reid Avenue on Staturday after leading 54-3 at half time.

Navy dominated from the very first minute as centre Jone Avakio opened scoring through a second phase move from the corner flag, which was converted by Nuwan Hettiarachchi. Six minutes later, the Sailors increased their lead when Joeli Luthunailagi scored with Nuwan Hettiarachchi adding the extra points to make it 14-0.

In the 16th minute, winger Dinusha Chathuranga touched down with Nuwan Hettiarachchi making no mistake with the conversion. (Navy 21-0). Four minutes later, prop forward Andrew Benson crashed through for a try with Nuwan Hettiarachchi converting.

The Sailors increased the lead when Nuwan Hettiarachich joined the line to form the overlap to score under the posts and converted it himself. (Navy 35-0). The omnipresent Number Eight Bilal Hassan scored the Sailors sixth try with Nuwan Hettiarachchi adding the extra points to make it 42-0. In the 33 rd minute, strongly built lock forward Sajith Saranga crashed through for an unconverted try and the Sailors led 47-0.

CH and FC reduced the deficit through an easy penalty by Dushan Lochana. But just before the breather the Sailors scored again when Jone Avakio scored with Nuwan Hettiarachchi making no mistake with the conversion and the Sailors led 54-3 at lemons. In the 14th minute of the second half, the Sailors increased their lead when fly half Chanaka Chandimal scored an unconverted try by the corner flag. (Navy 59-3).

In the 20th minute, Fijian centre Jone Avakio scored a corner flag try, which was converted by winger Chula Susantha to make it 66-3. His Fijian compatriot Lithu Mailagi scored the next try for the Sailors, which was unconverted. (Navy 71-3).

In the 36th minute Navy scored again through prop Andrew Benson with Chula Susantha adding the extra points to make it 78-3. In the dying stages of the game Jone Avakio, who had an excellent game scored the final try when he crossed the CH goalline and ran round to score under the post to give Chula Susantha an easy kick at goal and the Sailors ran out worthy winners by 85-3.